Steam is one of the largest and most popular platforms for distributing online games. The platform includes a digital storefront called the Steam Store, where you can purchase computer games. The platform boasts an extensive library of over 30,000 games and is continually updated with more exciting titles.
You will find it in the Steam library, whether you seek sports & racing games, arcade & first-person shooter games, or more complicated titles. To play the games in the library, you must purchase your preferred title and download it. Some of the games take up more disk space than others. Therefore, you must have enough space on your system before downloading the games.
Although Steam downloads typically go smoothly, you may want some pointers on how to speed up Steam downloads. Let’s go.
Stop Other Applications From Using Bandwidth
If other applications are hogging bandwidth and Steam has to fight for it, the download speed will automatically get reduced.
You can help Steam get the job done without a fuss by closing other applications that are not necessary while you’re downloading a game. For instance, quit apps like browsers or background running apps hogging the connection. Likewise, it would be best to switch off other Internet-enabled devices using the connection.
It would be best to prevent others in your family from streaming Netflix shows or movies while Steam downloads your game. This will ensure Steam has as much bandwidth as it needs to get the job done quickly.
Limit Steam’s Bandwidth Usage
After a bit of trial and error, you will understand the settings that work best to maximize the speed of your Steam downloads.
To ensure Steam downloads are not on the limited bandwidth usage list, go to the Limit Bandwidth To option in the Steam Settings and set it to No Limit. Now, Steam will not throttle your bandwidth, and you have complete access to the maximum download speed offered by your connection. So naturally, games will be downloaded much faster.
Change the Download Region
You can improve Steam download speeds by changing the download region in the Settings menu.
Launch Steam > go to Settings > Downloads > set the nearest Download Region from the drop-down menu.
Whenever the setting is far from your current location, the download speed will be affected and slower than what you’d like. On the other hand, changing the download region ensures the servers are closer to you; hence, the download will speed up.
Switch to Faster Wi-Fi
Check the speed of your Wi-Fi connection. You may have thought the speed is excellent, but it might not be enough for your Steam downloads.
You can opt for a wired ethernet connection because this is always a better, faster option. You can use the ethernet cable to connect your PC to your router. You will get the fastest bandwidth and speeds compared to Wi-Fi connections, as the latter suffers from slower speeds and interferences.
However, ethernet cable might not be the most reliable option for everyone. If the router is not near your gaming rig, it can be a challenge to lay ethernet cables throughout your house. You can get around this by creating a mesh network. You can set up a node and connect to your computer through ethernet.
Alternatively, if you think a Wi-Fi connection is the best option for you, you can tweak some settings to get the maximum possible speed. For example, you can upgrade your router to a faster model, move the router closer to your computer, ensure the router is not behind a thick wall, etc.
In most cases, you may have to change your Wi-Fi router if it doesn’t support faster speeds.
So, Start Downloading Games on Steam!
Shave hours off downloading a big game by speeding up Steam downloads. The hacks mentioned above will help you to download big game updates or new games quickly.
There are also other tricks that can enhance your Steam experience. For example, if you have a massive collection of games, you can hide the games. On the platform you don’t play. This will keep your games library organized, and you don’t have to waste your time seeking. The games you want to play. You can also install Steam for Mac if you want to enjoy playing AAA titles on your Mac computer.
Last but not least, ensure your Steam account is secure. If you lose your account, you could lose thousands of dollars. Therefore, taking precautions is necessary.
Now that you know how to speed up Steam downloads, you can get started on downloading your favorite AAA titles. Keep track of the new games added to the library regularly, so you don’t miss out. Also, stay tuned for Steam offers that can help save you a few bucks.
